Clasp for cigarette cases or the like



Oct. 14, 1930. v A CYR #11,778,312

CLASP FOR CIGARETTE CASES OR THE LIKE Filed June 21l 1929 720672:207nir-c2074 a. Ky#

Patentedk Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VICTOR A. CYR, OFNORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MASON BOX COMPANY, OFATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS CLASP FORCIGARETTE CASES R THE LIKE Application med June 21,

This invention relates to improvements in clasps for detachablysecuringthe hinged members of foldable containers such as cigarettecases or similar articles; and the principal object of the invention isto provide complemental stud and socket elements on the respectivefoldable members of the case or container, so constructed and arrangedthat the members are automatically locked when sprung together and arefreely separable upon release of the interlocked elements withoutweakening or permanently deforming said elements.

More particularly, an important object of the vinvention is to furnish acontainer of aforesaid type in which one of the foldable ymembers isequipped with an attached socket member which is secured at its base tothe wall of said member and which has its socketportion locked againstdisplacement from said wall by means of a tongue which is struck fromthe body of said portion and which engages in said wall.

A recommended embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings,

in which:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a closed cigarette case equipped with theimproved clasp;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on. the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an interior View of one of the case members, showing thesocket element of the clasp;

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the complemental stud element;

Fig. 5 is a detail View of the removed socket element;

lig. 6 is a detail of Fig. 2, to larger scale; an

Fig. 7 is an end view of the socket number shown in Fig. 5.

In the particular embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustration, theclasp elements are attached to the upper and lower sections 6 and 7respectively of a cigarette case; but it will be understood that theinvention is applicable to many other types of foldable containers, suchas jewelry boxes or the like. The sections 6 and 7 may be similar inconstruction, and each preferably com- 1929. Serial No. 372,665.

prises a rigid frame 8 formed of thin sheet metal, having a iiexiblecovering 9 applied on its outer side and a lining 10 afxed to itsinterior surface over the central opening 13 of the frame. The marginsof the respective frame are preferably transversely dished, bowed orotherwise shaped to form inwardly directed walls 111 and 15, and theedges of said walls 'abut each other when the two sections are swungtogether. A suitable hinge (not shown) may be provided at one end of thebox for pivotally connecting the case members, and a spring member maybe associated with the hinge normally to urge the sections apart, ail inaccordance with common practice. The improved clasp elements are appliedto the respective sections at the separable ends of the case forreleasably interlocking said ends together when the case is closed.

The socket element of the clasp is attached to the frame of the lowersection of Fig. 1 and includes a metal bar 16 having openings 17receiving fastening tongues 18 struck from the metal frame, and a curvedcentral tab 19 having opposite upstanding lips 20 near its outer end andan outwardly struck tongue 21 engaging within an opening 22 in the framewall 15. The attachment is thus afiixedto the frame by the frame tongues18, and the tab is secured against displacement by the tongue 21 whichpreferably extends diagonally across the opening 22 and has its outeredge engaging against the forward wall 23 of said opening, as best shownin Fig. 6, to lock the tab in fixed position.

The cooperating stud element comprises a thin, elongate base or bar 24attached at its opposite ends to the frame of the opposite case section,as by tongues 25, a resilient central tab or extension 26 having a studor hook 27 near its outer end, and an actuator' 28 fixed to the springtab as at 29 and extending outwardly of the section through suitableopenings in the frame and covering, whereby the spring tab and its studmay be forced inwardly by depressing the outer end of the actuator. Thethin bar 24- is sufliciently resilient so that the depre-ssion of theactuator flexes said bar and thereby relieves excessive strain upon thespring tab 26.' As the case members are swung together, the end of thetab 26 is received between the outstanding guides 2O of the oppositeattachment, and

the y'stud 27 snaps into the frame recess 22 through thesocket oropening 30 formed in tab 19 by the struck-out tongue 21,*therebysepara-bly to interlock the case members.

As lthe end of the tab 19 is thus secured by tonguel against the endWall of the case' section T, the tabv Willnot be displaced or deformedduring use, either upon opening or closing the case or by accidentalContact With other articles. This feature is ofcardinal importance, forthe operation of a claspof this type is substantially impaired if thesocket element becomes bent invvardlyof the case or transversely yout ofthe normal path of the cient in use. The attachments occupy verylittlespace and may be substantially concealed by the case lining, ifdesired.

1. In a container comprising a pair of members,fmovable relativelytoeach other from open to closed position, complemental clasp elementsattached to the respective members for releasably locking said memberstogether, one of said elements having a base portion affixedto saidmember, and a tab portion extending tovvard the edge of the member, thetab portion having a socket therein and a tongue -entering the Wall ofsaid member thereby to prevent lateral displacement of the tab portion,and the other element having a stud engageable in said socket.V

2. In a container comprising a pair of members movable relatively toeach other from'open to closed position, complemental clasp velementsattached to the respective members for releasably locking said memberstogether, onek of said elements having a base portion affixed to saidmember,-and a tab portion extending toward the edge of the member, thetab portion having ay struck-out tongue providing an opening in the tab,said tongue being locked in the Wall of. said member thereby topreventdisplacement of the tab portion, and the other element having astud engageable in said opening.

3. In a container comprising a pair of members angularlymovablerelatively to each otherfrom open to closed position, and havingoppositely directed, rigid Walls at the separable ends thereof,complemental clasp elements attached to the respective'end Walls forreleasably interlocking the saidseparable ends, one of said elementscomprising a metal plate shapedto conform to the inner side of one ofsaid end Walls and having a base portion afiixed to said Wall and a tabportion extending toward the edge thereof, said Wall having an openingtherein and said tab portion having a struck-out tongue providing arecess in the tab, the tongue extending into the Wall opening andengagino` therein thereby to prevent displacement of the tab portion,and the other claspelement havinga stud receivable in said recess.

'-i. ln a container having a pair of hinged vmembers having opposedWalls at thefseparable ends thereof, fastening means for detachablyconnecting said ends, comprising a ,socket element having a basealiixedto one of said members and a tab disposed against-the end Wall,the tab having a struck-out tongue providing an opening therein and saidtongue extending into the end vvalland engaging therein to lock the tabagainst displacement, and a complemente-l element carried bythe oppositemember, comprising a flexible base` affixed at its opposite ends to saidmember, and a depressible central extension having a stud releasablyengageable in said tab opening.

5. In a container having a'pair of hinged members having opposed Wallsatthe separable ends thereof, fastening means for detachably connectingsaid ends, comprising asocket element having a base affixed to one ofsaid members and a tab disposed against the end Wall, the tab havingv asocket therein, and a complemental element carried by the oppositemember, comprising an elongate flexible base, a depressible centralextensionv fixed transversely to said baseV and having` a studreleasably engageable in said tab opening, and a projection extendingthrough said member for depressing said extension and liexl'ng saidybase to movethe stud out of said opening.

Signed by me at Attleboro Falls, Mass., Bristol County, this 14th day ofJune', 1929. VICTORA, CYR.

